TWO gunmen jailed for a total of 64 years after police were shot at during the Birmingham riots were linked to the city’s notorious Johnson Crew gang.

Beniha Laing, 29, was said to be one of the organisers of the ambush at the Barton Arms which saw unarmed officers and a police helicopter fired upon.

He was jailed for 35 years yesterday for his key part in the disturbances last summer. Accomplice Wesley Gray was sentenced to 29 years.

Today the Mail can reveal Laing and Gray, 27, were linked to the Johnson Crew, the feared gang who originated in the Lozells area of the city.

They had denied any involvement in the August 9 attacks.

But Laing, of Avonmore Court, Walsall and Gray, of Clifford Street, Newtown, were convicted following a four-week trial of riot, possessing a firearm with intent, reckless arson, possessing a firearm and possessing ammunition.

Two women, both aged 25, were also sentenced following their links to the firearms used on the night of the shootings.

Janine Francis, of Bromfield Close, Aston, was convicted of possessing a firearm, possessing a stun gun and possessing ammunition and was jailed for seven and a half years.

Nadeen Banbury, of Firsk Croft, Bromford, was sentenced to five years after being found guilty of possessing a firearm and ammunition.

Earlier this year another six people were convicted and sentenced in relation to the ambush, and were given sentences ranging from 12 to 30 years.

The court had heard a mob had attacked the Barton Arms on the second night of rioting in the city.

At least four handguns were used after cops were lured to the scene – with 12 shots fired.

On October 7 last year a Fegarmy 9mm pistol and ammunition was found at the address of Laing’s friend Janine Francis following a police operation.

The firearm was examined, revealing that it was one of the weapons used on August 9 and Gray’s DNA was found on the gun.

A second firearm was seized on October 19 when Laing was handed a bag by Nadeen Banbury near to Burlington Street. The bag contained a St Etienne revolver and ammunition which was also identified as one of the other weapons used.

In passing sentence yesterday, Judge William Davis said he believed Laing had been armed with the St Etienne revolver on the night of the shootings and that Gray had also wielded a pistol.

“These events did not occur spontaneously. They were planned. Firearms were brought to the scene deliberately, as were petrol bombs.

‘‘There was a concerted attack on the police with guns.

“Although no physical injury was suffered, that was wholly a matter of luck. Had the police helicopter been struck, the consequences could have been catastrophic.”

After sentencing Detective Inspector Andy Bannister, who led the successful inquiry, said: “A number of individuals are already serving lengthy sentences following a trial earlier this year.

‘‘Despite the culmination of this trial the work does not stop here.

‘‘We are continuing to look at different methods of intervention to address the behaviour of other individuals who were part of that group on that August night.”

Neil Fielding, lawyer for the Crown Prosecution Service, said “These individuals are dangerous men, supported in their criminality by the two women, who used last year’s disorder as an opportunity to put the public and emergency services at risk. They deliberately targeted unarmed police officers.”